Which of the following is NOT one of Ainsworth's attachment styles?

The concept of attachment styles, as articulated by Mary Ainsworth in her Strange Situation study, identifies three primary styles of attachment: secure, insecure avoidant, and insecure resistant. These attachment styles arise from the interactions and relationships between a child and their primary caregiver, influencing the child's emotional and social development.

The secure attachment style is characterized by a child who feels safe and comfortable exploring their environment, knowing they can return to a caregiver for support. Insecure avoidant attachment reflects children who are indifferent to their caregiver's presence and may not seek comfort from them, while insecure resistant attachment describes children who demonstrate clinginess and resistance to exploration, often showing distress when the caregiver leaves.

Independent, as listed in the options, is not recognized as an attachment style within Ainsworth's framework. Instead, it could be seen as a characteristic of a secure attachment style where a child can confidently explore the world, albeit it does not specifically define an attachment relationship. Thus, this is why independent is not considered one of Ainsworth's attachment styles.